Biography

I was born in Oakland to parents that came to the United States from the Philippines in search of opportunity and a better life. My father served in the US Army in World War II, and then worked as a cook at the Oakland Athletic Club and the Leamington Hotel. My mother raised eight children, sending us to school in Oakland, San Leandro, and Hayward. I attended Chabot Junior College and California State University, Hayward. Due to a family crisis, I had to leave CSU during my senior year and, as head of our household, I had to find a full-time job to support three younger siblings. In the summer of 1975, I got a temporary job as a Groundsperson with the East Bay Regional Park District. It turned into a permanent position in March 1976 and became a lifelong career until I retired in 2013.

I spent more than 37 years working for the Park District as a Park Ranger, a Park Supervisor, and a Fire Lieutenant. The last 17 years of my career I was the Park Supervisor at Redwood Regional Park, where the redwood forest became a part of me. I always saw my job as not simply maintaining the park, but healing the creeks, forests, and meadows – bringing things back to nature. This is the background and philosophy I want to bring to the Park District Board – the perspective of someone who worked hands-on, boots on the ground for the Park District my entire career. It was never just a job; it was my life.

Who supports this candidate?

Featured Endorsements

Democratic Parties of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties

Sierra Club

Alameda and Contra Costa Central Labor Councils, AFL_CIO

Organizations (9)

League of Conservation Voters

Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club

John George Democratic Club

Oakland Rising Action

LaMorinda Democratic Club

Greater Metropolitan Oakland Democratic Club

SEIU 1021

Rossmoor Democratic Club

The Green Party of Alameda County

Elected Officials (5)

Congressman George Miller

Senator Loni Hancock

Assemblymember Rob Bonta

Assemblymember Tony Thurmond

Former Assemblymember Nancy Skinner

Individuals (23)

Eleanor Dunn, Veterinarian

Judy Belcher, Former Oakland Parks and Recreation Commissioner

Wilma Chan-Alameda County Board of Supervisor

Wendy Tokuda-Local Broadcaster/Environmental restoration volunteer

Jerry Kent-Retired Assistant General Manager of Operations, EBRPD

Jim Ryugo-Retired Public Works Manager, City of Oakland

Martin Marterrese-retired Open-Space Manager, City of Oakland

Helen McKinley, Scientist, retired

Richelle Jacobs, Psychotherapist

Sue Duckles, Professor, retired

Dave Lindberg, Professor, Retired

Reginald Barrett, Professor

Craig Cheslog, Contra Costa Democratic Party, Central Committee

Norm Kidder, Naturalist, retired

Alan Kaplan, Naturalist, retired

Sue Piper, Wildfire Prevention Advocate

Janet Cobb, Wildlife Advocate

Carolyn Phinney, Contra Costa Democratic Party, Central Committee

Julina Bonilla Peralta Colleges Trustee Area 7

Andy Katz-EBMUD Director Ward 4

Marguerite Young-EBMUD Director Ward 3

Dennis Waespi-Director, EBRPD, Ward 3

Abel Guillen-Oakland City Councilmember, District 2

Political Beliefs

Political Philosophy

I consider myself a progressive Democrat. I believe in job and retirement security, protecting and expanding Social Security by "scrapping the cap". I believe that we should expand Medicare to all. I believe in fair and equitable wages and treatment for all. I believe in fair elections, equal justice, separation of religion and state, and fair taxation-the rich and the corporations need to pay their fair share. I favor public education, conservation of our resources, and maintaining a sustainable planet, and negotiations over war. Do no harm and care for the young and the old.

Position Papers

Issues I Would Like to Address

Summary

My 37 year career with the East Bay Regional Park District was more than just a job; it became a way of life, healing the watershed, enhancing biodiversity, and introducing children and young adults to nature. I would like to see the Park District become not only the largest land owner in the East Bay, but a strong environmental leader and progressive community leader, enhancing the environment by maximizing educational opportunites and conserving natural resources.

I believe it is critical to make our parks accessible to all communities.

I want to make our parks safer for families, their pets, and wildlife. I would like to eliminate or reduce the use petro-chemical herbicides and pesticides in favor of a newer generation of botanical alternatives.

The Park District has isolated itself from the pubic by moving its headquarters far from the downtown area and holding all meetings during the daytime. I am advocating for holding one of two monthly Board meetings in the evening, in a place that is accessible by public tranist.

I would like the Park District to do more outreach and find a way to mentor and develop young people of color, so they have opportunities for futures with good Union jobs with the Park District.

I want to return the oversight of the Chief Financial Officer to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors and the public deserve an unbiased view of the Park District's finances.

Dog Policy in the East Bay Regional Parks

Summary

Dog policy in the East Bay Regional Parks

Dogs in the Parks

The East Bay Regional Park District remains one of the few public open space agencies in the nation that permits dogs off leash, under voice control, on hundreds of miles of trails. However, dog owners must carry a six-foot leash at all times, and dogs must be on leash in parking lots, posted Resource Protection Areas, and developed areas such as picnic sites.

The Park District is charged with protecting park and trail access for all users and is, at the same time, responsible for protecting its natural resources, both wildlife and vegetation.

In Redwood Regional Park, dogs are required to be on leash for the three-mile length of the Resource Protection Area along Stream Trail to protect the riparian habitat of the indigenous rainbow trout, which are historically significant. To protect the endangered Presidio Clarkia and the threatened California buckwheat, dogs are required to be on leash for one mile of trail in the Resource Protection Area in the Serpentine Prairie. This also allows safe passage for equestrians, for whom the prairie is their only access to Dunn Trail.

Redwood Regional Park has 38 miles of trail, and on only 4 of those miles are dogs required to be on leash. Compare that with the City of Oakland’s Joaquin Miller Park where dogs are required to be on leash on all trails at all times. In response to the need for an off-leash area, the City of Oakland built a fenced-in dog park.

I’ve included a link to an article about the City of Oakland’s relaxed rules to allow on-leash dogs in some city parks.